Isaksen Sisters Qualify for Pentathlon World Cup Final

By Dr. Genadijus Sokolovas, High Performance Director, USA Pentathlon

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, May 20. THE International Federation of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) has announced that two US pentathletes, sisters Margaux Isaksen and Isabella Isaksen have qualified for the World Cup Final, which will be held in Nizhnyj Novgorod, Russia on May 31 — June 2. Only 36 of the world's top pentathletes qualified for the World Cup Final. To receive qualification points, pentathletes competed at four World Cups this year:

World Cup 1 in Palm Springs, CA

World Cup 2 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

World Cup 3 in Chengdu, China

World Cup 4 in Budapest, Hungary

Two-time Olympian Margaux Isaksen from Fayetteville, Ark., had an impressive 2013 World Cup circuit by winning a gold medal at the World Cup 2 in Rio de Janeiro. She also finished in 7th place at the World Cup 1 and in 6th place at the World Cup 4.

Margaux's younger sister Isabella Isaksen competed at the 2013 World Cup circuit for the first time in her pentathlon career. Despite her short pentathlon career, Isabella qualified for all finals at the World Cups. Her highest finish was 21st place at the World Cup 2 in Rio de Janeiro. Isabella's results in pentathlon improved significantly over the last two years. She is ranked No. 2 in the United States.

At the last World Cup in Budapest, Margaux Isaksen had solid performances in all pentathlon events. She utilized a steady performance posting a 16th place finish in fencing (17 victories and 18 defeats), 13th in swimming (2:15.95 over 200 freestyle), and 11th in riding (one knockdown) before finishing with a strong effort placing 8th in combined running-shooting event with the time of 13:04.78.

After four World Cups this year, Margaux Isaksen is ranked in third position ahead of three medalists from the 2012 Olympic Games. The current leaders of the World Cup ranking are two Ukrainian pentathletes: Victoria Tereshuk and Ganna Buriak. Tereshuk also is a bronze medalist from 2008 Olympics.